The straight-talking parenting podcast in which we shine a light on the particular highs and lows of raising disabled children, acknowledge our triumphs and our mistakes and embrace all of our beautiful differences.

Because really, what the f**k is normal anyway?!

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Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal

EPISODE 20 - ‘I am because we are’ with juliet diener

In this episode, Lauren and Rina talk with dance movement psychotherapist and mother Juliet Diener on building an inclusive community and working with disabled children and their families. Juliet shares her passion for what she does with her charity organisation icandance and how her personal family story has influenced the empathy and understanding she brings to the disabled young people she works with and their parent carer families.

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Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal

EPISODE 18 - working 9 to 5 with Leisa millar

In this episode, Rina and Lauren talk with journalist and fellow podcaster Leisa Millar on the world of work as parent carers. Leisa is host of the SEN Mums’ Career Club podcast where she speaks with women in fascinating and diverse roles who are also parent carers and finds out how they make paid work work for them.

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Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal

EPISODE 17 - Sandwich caring with Rachel Pears

This week, Rina and Lauren talk with Rachel Pears about her experience as a 'sandwich carer'. Rachel describes the challenges of her diagnosis journey for her daughter (who has a rare genetic condition) while simultaneously caring for both her parents. As Rachel herself put it, she felt like she was competing in the “caring olympics”, but without any time for the training!

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Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal

EPISODE 16 - Wellbeing with Nicole Stephens

In the first episode of Series 3, Rina and Lauren talk with nutritionist, health professional and SEND mum Nicole Stephens. Nicole candidly shares how, despite her professional knowledge, she neglected to look after her own health and wellbeing in the early days before and after her daughter was diagnosed.

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Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal Acceptance, Mental Health, Diagnosis, Therapy Fking Normal

EPISODE 15 - conversation with a therapist with charlotte fox weber

In the final episode of series 2 Lauren and Rina take to the couch for a different kind of conversation with psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Weber. The discussion covers some of the emotional themes that come up again and again with parents of disabled children and Charlotte answers questions submitted by listeners.

Charlotte shares her professional and candid insight on topics like: the pressure to cope; the sneaky emotion that is guilt; asking for help; and how to deal with ongoing trauma. It is an illuminating conversation, peppered with vulnerability, wisdom and laughter.

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